Carrying a long, narrow shovel, Steve Groff walked into a field on his Holtwood farm, pausing when he reached the right spot to thrust the tool into the earth.
With a wiggle, he pulled up to remove a clump of dirt, showing how radish roots held the soil together as earthworms crawled through it.
It was a sign, Groff said, that the field was made up of healthy soil -- soil that can help capture water pollutants, reduce carbon emissions, soak up floodwaters and even produce more nutritious foods.
âItâs like the best of both worlds, really,â Groff said, emphasizing the benefits to both farmers and the environment.